Shoalamfishin

Another hot button issue. A positive review about a product that isn't backed by the majority of people and is relatively new to the market is bound to stir up some commotion especially when it conflicts with the brand loyalty of individuals. When brand loyalty is stirred up facts get mixed with opinions, baseless assumptions are drawn, insults are hurled, and side are taken; "you are either right or wrong," but that isn't so. In many ways reviews can be helpful especially when one can take in information objectively, with an open mind, and from that form their own opinions based on the facts provided. Often though reviews become grounds for conflict over who's opinion right. I could give a glowing (well tested) review on Lew's reels (since they have come back onto the market) and their customer service, but given the conflict surrounding this topic thus far I will refrain from doing so.

I have a pack of 5/0 Trokar flipping hooks that I haven't put through through the paces yet to give a good solid opinion on. In my experience the hooks do leave BIG holes; I've had the hooks (on a moderate hookset) go into into the cheek, make another exit hole and nearly rip the entire cheek out. I got the pack on sale for a great deal but now I think my next flipping hooks 4/0 and 3/0 will be VMC. In my experience and as has been said I have found that Trokar hook point tent to roll, or fold when they come into contact with cover, forbid that you set the hook in anything other that a fish.

I'm going to hold off until I can get my hands on both and compare them with reels mounted. I'm a Lew's guy (good reels and they've been very good to me) so in all likely-hood it's probably gonna be something in their line.

I'm leaning toward the Mojo Bass or a Wright Mcgill rod, some thing with some power and length that won't break the bank. I should have been more clear to start with I'm on short leash with the Misses regarding my constant fishing expenses lol. I'm probably gonna pair it with a moderately light reel (in low 7 ounce range).

I'm in the market for a new heavy action rod no shorter than 7'6 primarily for punching, but if it feels good I'll might use it for some swimbaits or pitching. I'd like a rod with at least some degree of parabolic action to it as well. What's working for you all, any suggestions are appreciated.

Sounds like a load of Bull Shad if you ask me. Like Teal said, I've know people to give out bogus information about what the fish are biting, and I've done it before myself especially to nosy, aggravating people that I don't trust that much.

Beaver ponds can definitely support bass. The best fishing in my life was in a beaver pond. The biggest issue is that, more often than not. you need some considerably heavy tackle to fish to fish in beaver ponds due to all the standing and submerged timber. I don't use anything less than 40# braid and (out of preference) tend to shy away from open treble hooks unless they are on a square bill. As stated in the post above bass get in some odd areas often through egg transfer from birds; occasionally though bass will find new habitats from feeder streams/creeks, or flooding/overflow. Here are some picture of some bass I caught out of a beaver pond a while back.

All I use for flipping and pitching is a 7.1 ratio reel, for the same reasons that next KVD listed above, and because it is helpful when you are trying to muscle bass out of thick cover.

Agreed, the rod stiffness is likely the cause of your troubles. Falcons rods are generally soft compared to most other rods. You normally have to go one power rating above what you desire; for instance if you want a medium power rod get a medium heavy. I have several Bucoo rods and they performance slightly under the power rating, but aside from that they make for very good rods.

Nice fish man!!! Congratulations!!

My fishing buddy has a MGX on a Vendetta and I have a Tournament Pro on a Bucoo. The MGX is smooth, crisp and super lightweight, but so is the Tournament Pro. The one ounce really doesn't equate much in the total setup weight even for a light combo. I am not a big fan of the IVCB-IV centrifugal brakes on the MGX. The issues for me about the centrifugal brakes on the MGX are that they are continuous, not adjustable (at least not practically), and that they are relatively weak. In regards to Tournament Pro I love their centrifugal brakes, (they are smooth and definitely even out casts with wind etc.) but I almost wish they would do a reel with a 6 pin "star" configuration. The 4 pin system that Lew's uses is awesome, it will slow a lure down a lot and let you cast in tough conditions, I just feel that a 6 pin would be more versatile. My view on the MGX is it's a good reel, light weight, smooth, etc. but just worth the extra cost compared to a Tournament Pro.

I tweak my lures and do some fairy unorthodox things from time to time in attempts to get the fish to bite. I have had success adding a suspend strip to a squarebill crank bait; I suspect because it causes the bait to rise slower after deflecting off of cover and appears more natural. I also had some odd almost freaky success when I added a 5" hollow body swimbait to a spinnerbait. Roughly a month ago I was having strikes but not hooking up but once I added the swimbait (rigged with the tail towards the blades) I boated a nice 2+ pounder. I salvaged and scrapped a lot of old tackle to make use of this past year and in the process of doing so I came across what looks like some old 1/2 ounce "Arkey style" jig heads that have the weed guard cut pretty short ( they aren't rounded on the bottom, but they most closely resemble Arkey heads). I had some skirts on hand that I customize into massive 80 strand custom color skirts. I ended up with a pb&j color, a red-black and pumpkin seed color, and another bruise colored jig. I haven't had the opportunity to fish them yet but I'm expecting good things; I left the skirts long so I can trim them at will. I had some cheap $1 walmart spinnerbait from year ago that I made into something fish-able by replacing the absolutely crappy "swivels" (junk) with real swivels and tying the skirts in place to give them more flare and hold them in place better. I modified all my buzzbaits as per some common methods and Glenn's tips to get more of the squeaky sound and to get them to run slower, but I haven't drilled holes in the blades YET. I have melted an glued soft plastics together in all kinds of configurations, one of my favorites into insert bait of choice into a tube. I have a fishing buddy that actually took off the rear trebble of a crank and added a small blade and caught as for myself I don't want to risk not hooking up with a fish lol. I know I haven't done many radical modification I'm sure this thread will get pretty interesting; I'm interested in seeing what other on her do.

It worked pretty well. I do throw a fair amount of 3 wire rigs, but for the full five wire rig I just rigged it light and it worked fine. Now though, with a 7' heavy, i won't have to worry about that. I might as well spill the beans and change my profile and icon, its probably about that time anyway, but I fish primarily rivers along with lakes and ponds (my trolling motor is out of commission so I haven't been out on lakes recently) when I get the chance and fishing target shoal bass, largies, and spotts. I have been kinda hesitant about putting all that out even on here as there has been some bad fishing/conservation/environmental practices mostly shortsighted locals, but the folks on here seem much more conscience about things. That said the five wire hasn't been a key part of my arsenal lately. I haven't had any issues throwing it (it loaded a little heavy, so I might take that back) but without the trolling motor out it just hasn't seen the water for a little while, its a shame to because its getting to be prime time to throw it.

So you practically throw the rig with a hickory limb for a rod... LOL WOW Might as well up it to 80# braid and rip the fish into the boat lol, I'm impressed I came back to this because I didn't intend to sound sarcastic or cynical. In all honesty I just hadn't ever had any experience with rods rated over xh or really seen a need for one. I haven't thrown the A-rig religiously but I'm learning more about it with experience and from information on here, obviously a heavier rod is a GREAT advantage (glad I got one). In the past just threw it when the right conditions presented themselves and tailored the rig to my outfit.

I know some people who have had decent luck with Quantums, but I haven't. In my experience a majority of Quantum reels (in the lower to middle quality range for Quantum) are very cheaply made and perform well for a while but kind of fall apart after a short time. Checked up on the Escalade before posting (I think its smart to be educated or at least refreshed on a topic) it looks good. The reviews on the Escalade look good, it seems much better than other Quantums that I have dealt with that were at and around the same price.

I have been throwing rigs on a 7' MH Falcon Bucoo with a Lew's Speed Spool and 50# Power Pro, but I recently got now 7' heavy action that is going to be my rod for throwing rigs. I've been making do as well and have been using the same same 7' combo for flipping/pitching, frogging, and rigs.

Falcon Bucoo rods, their ratings are generally fairly soft so go with a Heavy action for sure but the rods are light, strong, sensitive and just plain nice to fish with,.. they handle fish well.

Great point Felix!! Another aspect of what makes spinnerbaits so versatile (and in many instances effective) is that you can cover the entire the water column (most of the time, deep requires heavier spinnerbaits), fish grass, fish timber/cover all with one lure, all of this is a great advantage but when combined with a variety of presentations it can make spinnerbaits lethal.

Nice fish and good catch!!! I swear I come close to having a heart attack anytime I have a nice fish on that is barely hooked or jumping, it kills me! I had a scale like that but It was ridiculously inaccurate and died after after a few months of use lol; looks like yours in in much better condition and is OBVIOUSLY much more accurate. NICE FISH!!! Congratulations!

You can really use spinnerbaits in variety of situations the label of "search bait" really is true. Whats better about spinnerbaits is that you can run them through timber, over grass, etc. I generally lean toward spinnerbaits when I want more flash in my presentation; there are time a squarebill and spinnerbait will both catch fish but there are also times when the fish prefer one over the other. A chatterbait can serve as really good compromise between spinnerbaits and squarebills; the flash they put out is moderate to minimal, the vibration is good and they snag up easily. I throw chatterbait just about anytime I would otherwise use squarebills or spinnerbaits. I really like all of the lures in murky, muddy water, around logs/timber, and in current.

Nice! Congratulations, they are awesome reels and the customer service is excellent.. enjoy it

I cannot imagine having to fight a striper that big... good graciouis. That this is huge!

Nice fish man, that girl is FAT!!!!! Congratulations. I've got two of my pb's from a yak or canoe and its pretty awesome to have a big fish with a lot of fight pull you around in a small boat. On the underspins, I've got to get some.

I need to work on lipped cranks and jerkbait I haven't used them as much because I have been fishing a LOT of flooded timber and shallow really rocky water.

I'm planning on expanding my skills and confidence what the baits that already I have but use infrequently. I'm gonna try the jika rig and switchblade jig this year I've seen a lot of good stuff about both. I also want to try some new things with my soft plastics and cranks. I am going to try carolina rigging crankbaits for example.